Belgium has successfully filled all 500 positions for its inaugural voluntary military service program. The recruitment process concluded following a competitive selection phase that attracted more than 3,000 applicants. The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade, Theo Francken.
The initiative marks a shift in the country's defense staffing strategy, with the first cohort of volunteers scheduled to begin their service in the coming weeks. The high volume of interest, with applicants outnumbering available spots by a ratio of six to one, highlights significant public engagement with the new voluntary model.
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